For all the people
impatiently waiting
on tax refunds.

A grapevine for taxpayers,
by taxpayers.

Interact with people who have experiences or questions just like you.

All of your tax refund questions, answered.
What Other People Are Saying
49,289 comments

Where’s My Refund?

You have questions, we have answers.

key tax return and refund dates

When can you file your taxes?

You can submit your tax return before the IRS begins processing as early as the first week of the year with many tax preparation providers. You don’t need to wait until the IRS begins accepting tax returns but you must have the proper forms and paperwork. Some forms are not available until mid January. Tax returns filed before the IRS officially opens sit in a “queue” and are held until the IRS officially begins accepting tax returns.

Your tax return may be selected in a test batch. If you e-file early and it sits in queue, your return may be sent to the IRS early. This can result in early direct deposits depending on the payment provider you select. Our cycle chart will update with key dates including test batch dates.

When does the IRS accept tax returns?

The IRS usually opens around the third week of January each year. They announce the opening date early in January.

The IRS will begin accepting tax returns in 2025 on January 27th.

When is the IRS test batch?

If you file your tax return early, it may be sent to the IRS in a test batch before the IRS has officially opened for the year. It is usually a week before the date the IRS begins accepting tax returns. This has resulted in refunds in the past that can be posted by direct deposit as early as the day after tax season opens.

When will I get my tax refund?

Early filers whose returns are accepted in a test batch can anticipate a tax refund as early as the day after the IRS opens the January filing season if your return was in the test batch. The day that the IRS deposits refunds varies for regular returns but we notice trends based on the method you chose to file and select to direct deposit. You can use our tax refund calendar or refund cycle chart to help find out when you will get your tax refund.

Where is the IRS refund cycle chart?

The official tax refund cycle chart published by the IRS has been eliminated and replaced with IRS FAQ. Refund cycle charts are now published by independent websites and vary slightly.

A good reference to use is the When To Expect My Refund cycle chart that is published early each year by the College Investor.

tax refund grapevine

This is a user-to-user community of taxpayers. Share experiences and ask questions below in our Live Discussion. We have learned more about tax refunds than we ever wanted to know.

IRS Update Cycle

Use the IRS Update Cycle chart to find the days and times the WMR and transcript update.

Transcripts

This is what your IRS transcript can tell you about your tax refund.

Transaction Codes

Lookup the codes that you see on your tax return transcript and what they mean.

Daily vs. Weekly

Find out if you have a daily or weekly account with the IRS and what it means.

When are Updates?

The IRS has regular mass update cycles.

WHEN DOES WHERES MY REFUND (WMR) UPDATE?

Where’s My Refund can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Wednesday and Saturday when a lot of people see an update. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see updates on Where’s My Refund.

WHEN DO transcripts update?

Transcripts can update any day of the week. But there are mass updates on Tuesday and Friday. Use our calendar to find out what day you can expect to see an update on your transcript.

talk to a human

It is often hard to reach someone at the IRS and you might want to talk to a person. It is hard to reach some tax preparation companies too. Use our guide to talk to a human at the IRS.

TAX TOPIC 152

Tax Topic 152 is the most common status when you check the status of your tax refund. It is nothing to worry about.

transcript codes

Transaction Codes (TC) sometimes called transcript codes consist of three digits and may appear on your IRS account transcript. Decipher the codes on your IRS transcripts.

reference codes

Most times the Wherer’s My Refund tool (WMR) will show Tax Topic 152. Other times you may see various error codes. These are called Reference Codes on the WMR.

Join the Conversation

What Others Are Saying

  1. Pather39

    Any one receive their deposit but didn’t update on WMR?

    Reply
    3
  2. Vee2021
    • Tax Preparer:
      TaxAct
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-20
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Venmo
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      0805
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-21
    • I Got My Refund!

    Still no transcript update all zeros as of 2/17 still didn’t change either

    Reply
    1
  3. *Blink Blink*

    Has anyone who file w JH with fees taken out receive their money on serve card? Last year they’d deposited 6 days early.

    Reply
    1
  4. Mom@3

    So for those of us that got the TT message saying they could not fund us 5 days early, does that mean if you had fees out it now goes through SBTPG? Mine isn’t showing on there. It says I can not be found. My DD is 2/24 and I have Credit Karma.

    Reply
    2
  5. Mrs. Beeeee

    Did anyone opt for the Credit Karma account and card?

    Reply
    3
  6. Kj

    Chime just dropped in tennessee
    Path 846 2/24
    No fees
    Free turbo

    Reply
    1
  7. shelleybeanss
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-13
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      CK
    • Bars:
      2nd Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-22
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-18
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-25
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      05
    • Cycle:
      Weekly
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Minemybusiness: that is true. If you opted for the advance you weren’t eligible for the 5 days early.

    Reply
    1
  8. Vanessaa

    @RuthBaby: my TurboTax just updated to funded 2/19 so does that mean the money was sent to my bank and I can receive it tonight

    Reply
    2
  9. JTinAZ

    Netspend just hit in AZ…. used TT and paid fees up front, DDD of 2/24

    Reply
    3
  10. Mom@3

    @RuthBaby: I am sorry I see now on your post.

    Reply
    2
  11. Mom@3

    @RuthBaby: Did you have fees taken out? Or pay upfront?

    Reply
    2
  12. Justin0255

    I did not get an advance just my fees taken out and opted for the 5 days early. I do use SOFI and they are a NHB but turbo tax refunded the 25.. just waiting on the deposit from cross river into my SOFI

    Reply
    4
  13. Dentonj88

    @Hoping: thanks 🥺 it sucks bc I usually try to be as polite as humanly possible because I know they probably deal with alot…that lady pushed every single button though. I couldn’t fathom being that rude and condescending

    Reply
    1
  14. RuthBaby
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Chase
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250704
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Mar-10
    • Processing Date:
      Mar-3
    • I Got My Refund!

    TT 5 days early deposit just hit my account. Just wanted to update in case someone else is in the same boat.

    Reply
    8
  15. Minemybusiness

    Not sure how true this is I heard if you got the Advance through TT. You are not eligible for five days earlier deposit don’t shoot the messenger don’t know if it’s true

    Reply
    2
  16. Girl89

    @RELIEF2020: I filed on feb 3 got accepted the same day @RELIEF2020: I filed on feb 3 got accepted on the same day

    Reply
    1
  17. Lovergirl89

    @RELIEF2020: I filed on feb 3 got accepted the same day

    Reply
    1
  18. Jennthepen
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-24
    • Fees:
      From Refund
    • Bank:
      Cashapp
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-27
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @needmymoneynow: Yes I just checked and it says; We could not expedite your refund. No 5-day early fee was charged. With a delivery day of 2/19.

    Reply
    2
  19. Jocelynn
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-15
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20250504
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    MY DD JUST HIT MY SPRUCE ACCOUNT!!! 🎊🎉🎊🎉 Sorry for the all caps, just got excited!!!

    Reply
    9
  20. Vip96

    I have Chime nothing but my TT app timeline changed. It wont let me attach pic but the dot is in the middle again flashing pending and waiting to move to last bubble that says “refund delivery”

    Reply
    2
  21. Hoping

    @Dentonj88: dang! I’m sorry they had you like that. I find that they get more rude every year and have that I don’t care tone like they hate their jobs. Hope you get your $$$ soon.

    Blessings 🙏

    Reply
    2
  22. Walkingthepath

    Cash app users keep us posted when you hit

    Reply
    2
  23. RELIEF2020

    @CrazedinGA: Thank you! :) im really hoping to see a deposit by friday i have chime so just impatiently waiting for it lol…

    Reply
    2
  24. Noidea

    Serve just popped!

    Reply
    5
  25. Walkingthepath

    @Justgivememymoneyyy: keep me posted if yours hit I’ll do the same

    Reply
    1
  26. Justin0255

    @needmymoneynow: yeah mine just updated to that right now..im sure we will still get it soon. I hope.

    Reply
    1
  27. Kory in Cali

    Chime in Cali just hit! Pathet filed 1/17 code 846 overnight! Good luck yall!

    Reply
    5
  28. Stonerbabii

    Anyone with PNC get their deposits yet I have DDD for 2-24 I did pay my fees upfront and I opted out of getting it 5 days early with tt

    Reply
    4
  29. CrazedinGA
    • Tax Preparer:
      Turbo Tax
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-28
    • Fees:
      In Advance
    • Bank:
      Chime
    • Bars:
      1st Bar
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-28
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-19
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-24
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      20240604
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-17
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-17
    • I Got My Refund!

    @RELIEF2020: I would bet you update late Thursday/ early Friday. 🥰

    Reply
    2
  30. Sheila_33
    • Tax Preparer:
      FreeTaxUSA
    • Date Filed:
      Jan-9
    • Fees:
      Free
    • Bank:
      Bluebird
    • Bars:
      No Bars-PATH Act Message
    • Date Accepted:
      Jan-17
    • Date Approved:
      Feb-16
    • WMR Date:
      Feb-16
    • Transcript:
      Online
    • Cycle Code:
      04
    • Cycle:
      Daily
    • As of:
      Feb-10
    • Processing Date:
      Feb-19
    • I Got My Refund!

    @Punanni patrol: Wmr will most likely update in the morning with refund dates

    Reply
    3
  31. RELIEF2020

    @Lovergirl89: WHEN DID you file and when was your refund accepted? just tryng to see wht is goig on with mine lol filled and accpted 1/31 paid fees up front pather and all good codes but no ddd

    Reply
    2
  32. needmymoneynow

    Anyone have TurboTax fees taken out, and choose the 5 day early option with DDD 2/24 now see TurboTax say “We could not expedite your refund. No 5 day early fee was charged.” but still show refund delivery “est 2/19” on the Turbo Tax website? I’m wondering if it has said that prior to today because of PATH or if it’s something new. I just noticed it now.

    Reply
    3
  33. Dentonj88

    @Hoping: I’m right there w you. SBTPG literally had me in tears yesterday

    Reply
    1
  34. Deano

    @southern9700: 5:00 Central time

    Reply
    1
  35. Hoping

    Has anybody who went through TT see anything on SBTPG yet? Their system tends to be slow as heck and their reps rude as heck as well

    Reply
    2
  36. Dentonj88

    @trillywya: that’s sooooo lame though that they do that. Like…. I neeed my money, you know?

    Reply
    2
  37. Miamor capree

    @Tk (not signed in): LOL so true. Maybe it’s our time zone and bank. I’m eastern and my bank is chase

    Reply
    2
  38. Deano

    @southern9700: I’m pretty sure we will see deposits before 5:00pm

    Reply
    1
  39. Dentonj88

    @Lovergirl89: did you pay fees with your refund?

    Reply
    1
  40. trillywya

    @trillywya: tupo lol relation is release smh

    Reply
    1